UK retailer Home Bargains awards £40m logistics contract to Swisslog

Home Bargains, a UK discount retail giant, has granted a £40m contract to logistics company Swisslog for the retailer's new distribution center in Southern England.

Under the contract, the logistics firm will take up the role of a general contractor for the materials handling elements of the proposed distribution center. The order comprises pallet and light goods cranes and conveyors, including software and racking.

The discount retailer, owned by TJ Morris, plans to open nearly 420 outlets over the next five years to have a expanded retail network of 700 stores. The new distribution center is said to be a part of the expansion, which will facilitate the increased distribution volume.

Home Bargains operations director Joe Morris said: "Swisslog's innovative solution design convinced us. It was the decisive factor for us to engage Swisslog for this important growth project."

Swisslog is set to employ its CaddyPick semi-automated case order-picking system that will enhance the working environment for TJ Morris. The integration is scheduled to commence on-site in mid-2014 and expected to be completed in 2015.